Patents Examined by Joe Dillon, Jr.
  • Vibratory spiral conveyor
    Patent number: 7296951
    Abstract: A vibratory conveyor for transporting an object includes a spiral deck enclosed in a housing having passageways for allowing air flow between adjacent deck tier segments. In addition, the conveyor may include two concentric spiral decks operably coupled to one another, wherein a vibratory force is capable of simultaneously advancing objects both up the first spiral deck and down the second spiral deck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: General Kinematics Corporation
    Inventors: Richard B. Kraus, Kurt Christopherson, Robert Markowski
  • Modular tube system for feeding sliders to slider insertion device
    Patent number: 7296952
    Abstract: A modular slider feeder tube system comprising first and second feeder tubes having respective ends that are coupled by a tube coupling device. Each of the first and second feeder tubes is made of resilient material and comprises a respective channel having a profile that is asymmetric and substantially constant along the lengths of the channels. The tube coupling device also comprises a channel, via which channel the channel of the first feeder tube communicates with the channel of the second feeder tube. Each of the channels maintains the orientation of each slider passing therethrough so that the same end of the slider is always in the lead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald Cortigiano, Sr.
  • Unloader for discharging dry materials from bulk bags
    Patent number: 7287946
    Abstract: An unloader for discharging and feeding dry, granular type materials from bulk bags. Among the many improvements of the discharge apparatus is an open frame (20) and offset discharge location. Other improvements include an I-beam (23) and frame design that keeps the hoist (25) movement within the four corner posts of the frame. The unloader may be provided with vibrators, vibration isolators, load cells, actuators (107, 108), massage paddles, or plates (106, 109) to assist in the discharge function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: Shick Tube-Veyor Corp.
    Inventor: Timothy Bonerb
  • Conveyor system for minimizing product damage during collection
    Patent number: 7287637
    Abstract: A conveyor system is provided to limit the vertical fall experienced by a product transported along the conveyor and falling into a collection bin. A sensor in a fixed position relative to the product conveying plane of the conveyor measures product collection height in a collection bin to produce an output signal. A controller dynamically varies the angle between the conveyance plane and the collection bin base plane and the vertical displacement therebetween within a preselected range in order to minimize product damage associated with different fall trajectories from the conveyor into the bin for product. Either the conveyor or the collection bin is pivoted under the command of the controller to accomplish the desired function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Inventors: Kyle Campbell, Thomas J. Campbell, Jeffrey Campbell, Kevin Campbell
  • Transporting apparatus
    Patent number: 7284945
    Abstract: The invention discloses a transporting apparatus provided with a air-supplying-type support device for supplying purified air toward a lower surface of a transported object to contactlessly support the transported object in a horizontal orientation or a substantially horizontal orientation, a drive force application device for applying a drive force in the transporting direction to the transported object, a first transport member, a second transport member, and a relay transport member that links the first transport member and the second transport member. The drive force application device applies a drive force by contacting a lower surface of the transported object that is supported by the air-supplying-type support device. The relay transport member changes at least one of the transporting direction and the transporting orientation of the transported object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignee: Daifuku Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiteru Ikehata, Takayoshi Ono, Yuichi Morimoto
  • Modular conveyor belt with unique link capture means
    Patent number: 7284657
    Abstract: A flexible conveyor belt (10) has a plurality of transverse rods (11) on which a plurality of links are mounted for rotational and longitudinal movement on the rods. The links include edge links (12a, 12b) at opposite edges of the belt and link modules (13a, 13b and 15) positioned between the edge links. The rods have radially enlarged heads or buttons (16) on their ends, and the edge links have a cavity (29) for receiving the head, and an undercut shoulder (36) against which the head abuts to retain the edge link at the end of the rod. The link modules have a leading end (41) and a trailing end (42), and the trailing end of at least module (15) has slotted openings (47, 44) to enable the trailing end to be detachably connected to an associated rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignee: Keystone Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry P. Ulsh, Michael Etherington
  • Method for supplying a component and a component supplying device
    Patent number: 7284934
    Abstract: A method is provided for supplying a component to a pick-up position located near a stop by means of a component supplying device. The component supplying device includes a guide provided with the stop, at least one air inlet connected to the guide, and at least one air outlet also connected to the guide. Components are carried through the guide in a transport direction towards the stop by means of air supplied through the air inlet. Once a number of components have been transported in the transport direction, the air outlet is substantially closed by at least one component present in the row. Subsequently, at least one component following the row is transported in a non-transport direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignee: Assembleon N.V.
    Inventor: Hubert Francijn Maria Hoogers
  • Land and sea transport system for particulate materials
    Patent number: 7278811
    Abstract: A multi-modal system for transport of particulate material includes a plurality of ship based hoppers mounted within the hold of a ship. Each such hopper includes a container for particulate material, a container inlet by which particulate material can be loaded into the container by entrainment, and a container outlet through which particulate material can be unloaded from the container by entrainment. The system also includes a product loading internal manifold located within the hold of the ship and connected to a container inlet for a plurality of ship based hoppers, and a product unloading internal manifold located within the hold of the ship and connected to a container outlet for a plurality of ship based hoppers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: The Heil Company
    Inventors: Bryan Yielding, Joe Calonge
  • Adjustable discharge apparatus
    Patent number: 7275701
    Abstract: Adjustable discharge apparatus include a first conduit apparatus with a first conduit section extending along an arcuate path about a pivot axis. A second conduit apparatus is pivotally mounted about the pivot axis in a telescoping relationship with the first conduit apparatus. Adjustable discharge apparatus kits are also provided with a first conduit apparatus, a second conduit apparatus and a third conduit apparatus. The second and third conduit apparatus of the kit are for selective mounting to the first conduit apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: Finn Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas E. Wysong, Joseph A. Bedel
  • Apparatuses and methods for dispensing materials
    Patent number: 7275893
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for the disbursement of relatively heavy materials, such as aggregate or wet compost out of a moveable container are provided. Material is conveyed within the container to a feeder that meters the material into an air stream. The air stream is provided at a relatively high pressure and flowrate with respect to other mobile blowing systems. The air stream carries the material though a hose that is manned by an operator. The operator points the hose towards a desired location for application of the dispersed material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: Finn Corporation
    Inventors: Arlen Rexius, David Looney, Jason Wedmore, Chris Forsman
  • Arcuate guide apparatus and method for conveyor(s)
    Patent number: 7267517
    Abstract: An arcuate guide apparatus and method for collecting and moving material into or away from a selected bin (30a, 30b, 30c) that resides within an array of storage bins. The arcuate guide apparatus comprises three or more trolleys (90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95a, 95b, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108) that move along at least one track (79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 86a, 86b, 86c, 86d, 86e, 86f, 87a, 87b, 88a, 88b, 89) to create a guide assembly for a conveyor (60) or conveyor groups (67, 68, 69, 70).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Inventor: Dwight Eric Kinzer
  • Guide apparatus and method for conveyor(s)
    Patent number: 7267518
    Abstract: An guide apparatus and method for collecting and moving material into or away from a selected bin (30a, 30b, 30c) that resides within an array of storage bins. The guide apparatus comprises three or more trolleys (90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95a, 95b, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108) that move along at least one track (79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 86a, 86b, 86c, 86d, 86e, 86f, 87a, 87b, 88a, 88b, 89) to create a guide assembly for a conveyor (60) or conveyor groups (67, 68, 69, 70).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Inventor: Dwight Eric Kinzer
  • Door and valve assembly for a pneumatic transmission system
    Patent number: 7264421
    Abstract: A door and valve assembly for a pneumatic transmission system including a port configured to permit ambient air to flow into a pneumatic transmission conduit, a body having a seal and configured to open and close the port and an end of the transmission conduit, and an actuator connected to the body. The seal may be configured to seal the end of the transmission conduit. The actuator is configured to move the body to open the end and port, move the body to close the end and keep the port open, and move the body to close the end and port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: E.F. Bavis & Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael E. Brown
  • Escalator with step brushes, step of such an escalator, and method of modernizing an escalator
    Patent number: 7264105
    Abstract: An escalator has steps has steps that have a step-tread surface with a step-tread edge. Step brushes are arranged on the step-tread edge perpendicularly or vertically. Step brushes may also be arranged on the edge of the step's step-riser edge. The brushes provide a barrier against the entry of objects into the gap between a moving step and the stationery skirt-panel of the escalator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Inventio AG
    Inventor: Thomas Illedits
  • Rotary separator for mineral fibers
    Patent number: 7264422
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for collecting and forming loose fill fiber material from an air stream includes introducing a combined fiber and air stream onto a surface of a rotatable drum. The rotatable drum allows the air to flow through the surface of the drum while collecting the fiber material on the surface of the drum. The collected fiber material is then removed from the drum surface by a blow off header that is internal to the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Owens-Corning Fiberglas Technology Inc.
    Inventors: John Hasselbach, Michael E. Evans
  • Hose restraint apparatus
    Patent number: 7264423
    Abstract: A restraint apparatus configured to selectively attach a flexible hose at an outlet structure of a manifold of an air conveyance system is provided. The restraint apparatus includes a restraint member having a flat, planar shape. The restraint member includes a first opening located at a first end and a second opening located at a second end opposite the first end. The first and second ends of the restraint member are configured to be biased toward each other such that the first opening is operable to receive the outlet port therethrough and the second opening is operable to receive the hose therethrough. Upon release of the first and second ends of the restraint member, the first and second ends are operable to exert a bias force against the outlet structure and the hose, respectively, in a manner that resists removal of the hose from the outlet structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: CNH Canada, Ltd.
    Inventor: Trevor L. Kowalchuk
  • Transfer unit for transferring glass articles
    Patent number: 7264108
    Abstract: A transfer unit for transferring glass articles from a supporting surface to a carry-off conveyor, the transfer unit includes a pickup member for engaging the articles for transfer and is hinged to one end of an actuating arm to rotate with respect to the actuating arm about a movable hinge axis under the control of a control unit for adjusting the position of the pickup member independently of the position of the actuating arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Bottero S.p.A.
    Inventors: Gianclaudio Borsarelli, Paolo Gianti, Carlo Sesia, Bruno Viada
  • Method for installing insulation
    Patent number: 7263810
    Abstract: A method for installing insulation into the wall cavities of a building is disclosed. The method includes the following steps: hanging a sheet of polymeric material against the wall, cutting and mounting tracks around the studs, drilling holes into the tracks and inserting screws to pull the polymeric material tight, cutting an opening into the sheet and inserting a tube, blowing insulation into the cavity until it is filled, and removing the tracks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Inventor: Todd Trauba
  • Method and apparatus for inspecting articles of glassware
    Patent number: 7261197
    Abstract: Apparatus for indexing glassware through a series of angularly spaced stations includes first and second arrays of glassware gripping fingers mounted on associated carriers that are rotatable about a common axis, both conjointly and with respect to each other. Each carrier is connected to as associated servo motor, which in turn are connected to a controller for rotating the carriers with respect to each other to grip and release glassware between the fingers, and to rotate the carriers conjointly to index the glassware between apparatus stations. One array of glassware gripping fingers includes coil springs for biasing the fingers toward the fingers of the opposing array for accommodating tolerance variations in the glassware. Drive rollers are located at at least some of the stations, and are pivotal into and out of positions for rotating the containers about their axes for inspection or other purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: Owens-Brockway Glass Container Inc.
    Inventors: George A. Nickey, Stephen M. Gerber, Noel D. Wendt, Ronald E. Gast, Gregory A. Ritz, James Scott Barnes, William R. Martin
  • Storage unit for elongated products
    Patent number: 7258221
    Abstract: The storage unit comprises at least two flexible members (55), equipped with supports (57) for the products to be stored, extending and moving along respective parallel paths defined by a plurality of driving wheels (59, 63). The supports (57) project laterally in respect of the relative flexible member. In each of the paths, in proximity to at least one driving wheel, a transfer member (71) is positioned to receive the products from the supports located on a branch (55A) of the respective flexible member upstream of said driving wheel and transfer them to the supports located on a branch (55B) of said flexible member downstream of said driving wheel in respect of the direction of feed of the flexible members along the respective paths, so that the products follow a trajectory that by-passes said driving wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Fabio Perini S.p.A.
    Inventors: Walter Di Nardo, Mauro Gelli